2010 AFC Predictions
Here we go! Strap it on, the NFL is back with the Favre's and Super Bowl champs in New Orleans Thursday night. Enjoy it while it lasts 'cause the billionaires may be locking out the millionaire's this time next year. Here are my 2010 AFC predictions.
AFC East
1. Jets (9-7 in '09) Overrated! I think so. I know they can play defense, I think they can run the ball with Shonn Greene and a fading LT but how much improvement do they get from a passing game that was 31st in the league last season? The Jets lost 6 of 7 games last year, but are my reluctant pick to win the East.
2. Patriots (10-6 in '09) Any team that has Tom Brady and Randy Moss on offense and Bill Belichick running the defense has a fighting chance. They haven't won a playoff game in 2 years and the way the Ravens slapped them around in the playoffs last year had to hurt their psyche.
3. Dolphins (7-9 in '09) Brandon Marshall and Carlos Dansby make them contenders. I think they're better but still 3rd in the division. If Chad Henne comes up big I'm wrong.
4. Bills (6-10 in '09) With Chan Gailey and with or without T.O. the Bills are still the Bills and last in the East
AFC West
1. Chargers (13-3 in '09) With a franchise QB and suspect competition in the division the Chargers will win their 5th straight division title. No LT, no problem rookie Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles will be fine. With the Bolts it's all about the playoffs.
2. Chiefs (4-12 in '09) I'm not sure they'll be above .500 but 8-8 might be good enough for second place in this division. New England West with new coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.
3. Broncos (8-8 in '09) They came into Baltimore 6-0 last year, got whipped by the Ravens, 30-7, and lost 8 of their last 10 games. Elvis Dumervil who lead the league in sacks in '09 won't play this year, Brandon Marshall is hanging out on South Beach good luck with Tim Tebow coach McDaniels.
4. Raiders (5-11 in '09) The Cable guy gets a big upgrade at QB, it's addition by subtraction with Jason Campbell (and Kyle Boller) replacing JaMarcus Russell. Former Ravens QB coach Hue Jackson is the new offensive coordinator. They might be better but the Raiders aren't a contender.
AFC North
1. Ravens (9-7 in '09) I think they're the best in the North, but not much better than the next two. There's a lot to like about the offense but the right tackle spot is a question mark. Joe Flacco has plenty of toys but they need to stay healthy. Boldin plays offense like Ray Lewis plays defense, but Q's pedal to the metal style has put him on the sidelines. Todd Heap has battled injuries and Derrick Mason is 36 if this group stays healthy look out. The Ravens defense will stuff the run, how they hold up against the pass will be the key to their season. If they can hold their own against the best quarterbacks in the AFC they'll have a shot to get to Dallas.
2. Bengals (10-6 in '09) The Bengals didn't lose a game in the division last year and added some nice pieces for this season. While most of the talk has been about T.O. joining Ochocinko and Carson Palmer, I feel the Bengals defense is the key. Mike Zimmer took the group to number 4 in the NFL last year. The Bengals cornerback combo of Leon Hall and Jonmathan Joseph might be the best in the league.
3. Steelers (9-7 in '09) A Super Bowl hangover and a Bad Ben off-season has Pittsburgh off the radar. I'm not buying it! If they can survive Roethlisberger's 4-game suspension at 2-2 or better look out. Roethlisberger is a winner and so is the Steelers defense that gave up too many points in the 4th quarter last year. The suspect O-line will likely determine if this is a playoff team. My advice, don't bet against them.
4. Browns (5-11 in '09) Jake Delhomme at QB, Eric Mangini on the hot seat another cold winter on the Lake. New Browns president Mike Holmgren will clean up this mess, but it'll take time. Josh Cribbs is a Browns player worth watching.
AFC South
1. Colts (14-2 in '09) As long as number 18 is standing and dissecting defenses this is still the team to beat in the AFC. Doesn't matter who the coaches, lineman or receivers are, if Manning (34-13th season) is throwing the Colts are winning. Eight straight trips to the playoffs and a staggering seven straight seasons with 12 or more wins. On defense Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are game changing pass rushers.
2. Titans (8-8 in '09) I'm a big Jeff Fisher fan, he's a big Chris Johnson fan. Johnson set an NFL record with over 2,500 yards from scrimmage and Vince Young looked like a real NFL quarterback. On defense first round pick Derrick Morgan from Georgia Tech will make up for the loss of veteran pass rusher Kyle Vanden Bosch. After digging an 0-6 hole (that 6th loss was 59-0 at New England) the Titans finished 2009 winning 8 of their last 10.
3. Texans (9-7 in '09) How many years have people been saying is this the year? The Texans have never made the playoffs and until they do I'm out. They went 1-5 in their division last season. The Texans offense was 4th best in the NFL last year. Matt Schaub was the Pro Bowl MVP and Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the league. Arian Foster and Steve Slaton headline a running game that was a dismal 30th in the NFL last season. The defense is middle of the pack.
4. Jaguars (7-9 in '09) Nothing terrible about Jack's Jags, but a lot of ordinary will lead to a 4th place finish. Nothing ordinary about Maurice Jones-Drew the RB ran for 1,391 yards and 15 TD's last season. It's a make or break season for QB David Gerrard and head coach Jack Del Rio who'll take over the play-calling on defense.
AFC Championship
Colts over Ravens or Chargers (alright! Chargers)
Next time I'll predict the NFC and Super Bowl.
